Letter: Rude behavior ruining Montauk
A view of the Montauk Point Lighthouse from Camp Hero State Park. (2006) Credit: Newsday/Alejandra Villa
Thank you for the editorial "Party culture alters Montauk" [July 16]. It validated my own disappointment in a locale where I've vacationed for 20-plus years.
Last year when I opened the sliding doors of my hotel room on the ocean, I was greeted by more than that first smell of invigorating beach air. My neighbors' table, chairs and toys were all lying in front of my room. I bring this up only because in Montauk, in years past, this never would have happened. Good manners were the norm.
This neighbor turned out to be part of a large group that had a habit of sending one person to the beach at dawn every day to mark off their territory with 20 to 25 chairs in a row, along with four or five canvas gazebos. No one from their group actually came to the beach until 9:30 or 10 a.m. It's a "me first" mentality.
Later in the week, another group with a penchant for rude behavior arrived.
I'm happy to see the Town of East Hampton fighting back. Some people just don't know how to behave. And I don't want them taking over the Montauk I know and love.
Ellen Greenspan, Bay Shore
